Rifle accessory rail, communication, and power transfer system - communication

ABSTRACT

The present invention is related to weapons systems. In particular, the present invention is directed to accessory attachment systems for rifles and small arms weapons that enable attached accessory devices to draw power from a central power source and communicate with the user and/or other devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to weapons systems. In particular, thepresent invention is directed to accessory attachment systems for riflesand small arms weapons that enable attached accessory devices to drawpower from a central power source and communicate with the user and/orother devices.

The current rifles and small arm weaponry in use by US armed forces canbe equipped with numerous combat optics, laser designators/sights, andflashlights; all comes with different power requirements and batterysupplies. The result is a heavy weapon and a heavier field load ofbatteries to accommodate the various accessories, which ultimatelyimpacts the soldiers' effectiveness, particularly on longer missions.One of the US Army focus areas is improving the performance of theirsoldiers' combat equipment while reducing the load that each soldier hasto carry. One of these efforts is concentrated on providing advancedtechnologies to demonstrate the feasibility of an innovativecommunications rail and power transfer system. The resulting system willbe backwards compatible with current mission support devices andaccessories that mount to small arms weapons during operationalprocedures and it will reduce the overall weight penalties of thecurrent system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to accessory attachment systems forrifles and small arms weapons that enable attached accessory devices todraw power from a central power source and communicate with the userand/or other devices.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at leastone disadvantage of previous firearm accessory rails.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided afirearm accessory mounting rail for attachment of a firearm accessory tothe barrel of a firearm. The accessory rail may provide a connection forthe firearm accessory.

The present invention embodies firearm systems comprising at least onemounting rail comprising at least one power connection, at least onepower source, at least one rail accessory comprising a rail grabber ormount, wherein the at least one rail accessory receives electrical powerfrom the power source.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides an accessoryattachment system for rifles and small arms weapons that enablesattached accessory devices to draw power from a central power source andcommunicate with the user or other devices without exposed wires.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparentto those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the followingdescription of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction withthe accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 provides a drawing showing system architecture in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a full size mock-up of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows the fully functional powered rail with integrated PCB andelectrical bus contacts.

FIG. 4 shows a powered rail accessory mounting assembly, a typicalembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a typical embodiment of the powered rail power distributionsystem.

FIG. 6 shows a typical embodiment of the buttstock battery pack.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the battery pack module and theaccessory control module.

FIG. 8 shows fully functional, optional horizontal and vertical grip,accessory control modules

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the principles of the presentinvention are described by referring to various exemplary embodimentsthereof. Although the preferred embodiments of the invention areparticularly disclosed herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willreadily recognize that the same principles are equally applicable to,and can be implicated in other compositions and methods, and that anysuch variation would be within such modifications that do not part fromthe scope of the present invention. Before explaining the disclosedembodiments of the present invention in detail, it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited in its application to the details ofany particular embodiment shown, since of course the invention iscapable of other embodiments. The terminology used herein is for thepurpose of description and not of limitation. Further, although certainmethods are described with reference to certain steps that are presentedherein in certain order, in many instances, these steps may be performedin any order as may be appreciated by one skilled in the art, and themethods are not limited to the particular arrangement of steps disclosedherein.

One of the US Army focus areas is improving the performance of theirland warrior's combat equipment while reducing the load that eachwarfighter has to carry. One of these efforts is concentrated onproviding advanced technologies to allow power transfer andcommunication among the accessory devices attached to the weapons usedby the land warriors in the adverse environment in which they operate.Currently, the Program Executive Office (PEO) has stated the need for asuperior accessory rail communication and power transfer system. A lightweight and high-efficiency accessory attachment and power transfersystem is necessary to allow the warfighter to operate the multipleaccessories using a single power source, while maintaining themodularity of the weapon according to the specific mission. The devicesthat attach to the weapons use the MIL-Std-1913 rail (“Picatinny rail”).The current attachment rail can hold devices such as spotlights andflashlights, laser designators, reflex optics, night vision systems, andother devices, each with unique power requirements that require soldiersto carry multiple type batteries for each accessory. The innovation ofthe proposed communication and power transfer system resides in: theability to power multiple devices (with different power requirements)from a single source, and providing the user(s) with the ability tocommunicate with and control the attached accessory devices, whilemaintaining the standard attachment modularity of existing devices andreducing the soldier's load by eliminating the need for multiple typebatteries.

Those familiar with the development of the communication rail and powertransfer system have stated a need for innovative technologies that canimprove the deficiencies of the existing system. Therefore, a businessopportunity exists to apply new technologies (mechanical designs andelectromechanical concepts) to engineer and develop a new communicationand power transfer system that can provide:

-   -   Higher power densities from a single compact source, eliminating        multiple types of batteries    -   Reduction of battery mass and volume    -   Significant system-weight reduction    -   Backwards compatibility with existing systems (MIL-STD-1913 rail        and accessories)    -   Capability for multi-functional operation (multiple power        requirements)    -   Reliability during operation and handling in adverse mission        environments (Rain, Mud, Sand)    -   Compact design for practical transportability    -   Centralized power supply, the battery housed in the buttstock,        thereby maintaining the center of gravity and improve weapon        handling    -   Structural toughness to withstand rough usage    -   Flexible manufacturability and affordability

The innovation is a modular accessory rail communication and powertransfer system developed from the detailed analysis of proprietaryconceptual designs that suggest the use of available lightweightconductive materials, and consider multiple features specificallydesigned to optimize the system's weight, power efficiency, andsoldier's performance.

After a detailed review of the existing system, the available optionsand their related problems, Prototype Productions, Inc. has understoodthe criteria that the new accessory rail communication and powertransfer system must meet. The focuses on the design, development,integration, and interaction of five main components:

-   -   Picatinny Hand guard rail    -   Modular weapon system (MWS) Mounting    -   Rail power distribution    -   Battery power pack    -   Rail communications

PPI's new cost competitive and innovative communications rail and powertransfer system would allow the US military not only to ensure thereliability and functionality of all existing small arms weapons; butalso would greatly improve the probabilities of implementing this newtechnology in other higher caliber weapons and/or military vehicles androtary aircraft. The technology would certainly find attractiveapplications inside the civilian market and has the potential torevolutionize the powering of electronic applications/devices thatrequire a single source of higher density power delivery with standardattachment options. FIG. 1 shows a diagram of the system architectureusing the DC bus with galvanic contact, buttstock battery pack and handguard user input device. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the system.

Picatinny Hand Guard Rail

The Picatinny hand guard rail assembly allows for mounting of differentdevices on the weapons. Most of the sights are the same among theweapons, but mounting of other accessories are unique and may bedifferent depending on mission requirements. For example, the User InputDevice, which provides control to Multi-function laser or Daylight VideoSight while holding the weapon. The installation of the M203 grenadelauncher which has different mounting configuration from the otheraccessories used on the rifle.

These devices are electrically powered by an integrated electrical busproviding electricity to any point of the hand guard rails. FIG. 3 showsthe fully functional powered rail with integrated PCB and electrical buscontacts.

Modular Weapon System Accessory Mounting

A typical embodiment of the invention includes the use of a powered railaccessory mounting assembly as shown in FIG. 4. The mounting assemblyattaches the typical accessory to the powered accessory rail andconsists of: the rail grabber, the spring contacts, the spring plungersand the face seals. The spring plungers depress the snap-dome switcheson the powered rail, the spring contacts provide electrical contact withthe fixed electrical bus contacts on the powered rail PCB assembly, andthe face seals provide environmental protection.

Rail Power Distribution

The main challenge during development was to demonstrate the feasibilityof a power and communication distribution system that would perform tomeet the rigors of the battlefield while maintaining the flexibility andmodularity of the weapon. This would require a system that is notaffected by the environment and does not require tools to use. PPI'sdesign approach was to use an integrated power and communication systemusing an A/C (for an inductive coupling system) or D/C (for galvaniccontact) bus to the Picatinny Rails. The rail design can be modified tokeep the same modularity without compromising the structural andfunctional aspects of the design while providing a conduit andconnection point for the power and communications.

In FIG. 5, the electrical wire is routed from the battery pack in thebuttstock to the powered foregrip rail. The external wiring is housedinside a durable and impact resistant rigid polymer shroud that conformsto the lower receiver. The shroud is securely retained by a quickconnect/disconnect pivot and takedown pin as well as the bolt releaseroll pin or in the trigger/hammer pins. The design provides an easyaccess for replacement or repair of the cable assembly and eliminatessnag hazards or interferences with the rifle operation and requires nomodifications to the rifle lower receiver housing.

Battery Power Pack

The purpose of the consolidation of the batteries into one power unit isto reduce system weight, improve weapon balance and handling; thebattery system must incorporate batteries with high power density.

A buttstock/recoil tube battery pack assembly includes a collapsiblebuttstock, locking and quick release mechanism and a removable batterypack, as shown in FIG. 6. The buttstock provides a compartment to theunderside of the buffer tube assembly which allows the battery pack tobe installed and withdrawn for removal through the rear of the rifle.The battery pack mounts on the buffer tube independent of the buttstockwhich telescopes along the rifle. The buttstock is collapsible and canbe extended in various multiple intermediate positions providing anadjustable overall length of the firearm.

Rail Communications

The battery adapter contains a DC/DC converter circuit and controlelectronics, as well as selector switches for identification. Thepreferred embodiment utilizes selector switches on each battery adapter,which assign a user control button ID that corresponds desiredfunctionality for the designated peripheral As an example, if the userwanted to momentarily power a target illuminator, they would hold downbutton 1, which would power the accessory as long as the button wasdepressed. If they wanted to maintain power to the illuminator, theywould press and release button 2. To turn off the accessory, they wouldpress the button again. Alternatively, different combinations of buttonscould activate functions on any number of peripheral modules. Thisapproach maximizes flexibility and allows the accessories to be fieldselected depending on mission. A schematic block diagram is shown inFIG. 7.

FIG. 8 shows fully functional accessory control modules in both theoptional horizontal and vertical grip designs. The accessory controlmodules have the ability to pass command and control signals over thepowered rail in order to activate and de-activate mounted accessories,as well as provide accessory identification and status.

Communications between the accessories are accomplished by impressing amodulated signal on the power carrying conductors. This reduces thenumber of conductors required for distributed communications andconfines the signal to the rail assembly. A modem is used to manage thedata translation from between the digital processor and the analogpower/communications bus. The modem can be a standalone component or asoftware modem implementation.

Embedded communications significantly increases the versatility of theweapon by allowing coordination between accessories mounted anywhere onthe rail system.

These and other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in theart, all within the scope of the present invention, which is definedsolely by the claims appended hereto.

1. A firearm system comprising: at least one mounting rail comprising anelectrical contact; at least one power source; at least one railaccessory; and wherein the at least one rail accessory receiveselectrical power from the power source.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the power source is a battery pack.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein at least one rail receives power across a central DC bus
 4. Thesystem of claim 1 further comprising a power switch for controlling theflow of electrical power from the power source to the rail accessory. 5.The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one powered mounting rail isa detachable mounting rail.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the atleast one powered mounting rail a Picatinny rail.
 7. The system of claim1, further comprising a butt stock assembly wherein the buttstockassembly comprises the power source.
 8. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising an external power pack wherein the external power packcomprises the power source.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprisinga foregrip assembly wherein the foregrip assembly comprises the powersource.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the external power packattaches to the mounting rail.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein thepower source is located in a pistol grip.
 12. The system of claim 1further comprising: a first rail accessory mechanically connected to theat least one mounting rail and electrically connected to the at leastone power connection; a second rail accessory mechanically connected tothe at least one mounting rail and electrically connected to the atleast one power connection.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one mounting rail is a detachable mounting rail.
 14. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the accessory contains a power converter to transformthe rail power into power suitable for the accessory.
 15. The system ofclaim 1, where the power converter is controlled by a microprocessor.16. The system of claim 12, communications between mounted accessoriesis performed through the power bus.
 17. The system of claim 12, a modemin each accessory translates the bus signals for accessorycommunications and control.
 18. The system of claim 12, each accessoryhas configurable hardware or software switches to identify the desireduser interface functionality.
 19. The system of claim 1, the accessorycontains a microprocessor to execute control functions and transfer databetween other accessories.